16/03/2024
We are hiring!
Here at Kernow Veterinary Group we have an exciting opportunity to expand our small animal team due to the progression of our current students into becoming Registered Veterinary Nurses. We are looking to recruit a Veterinary Care Assistant.
If you already hold a Level 2 or 3 animal care, welfare or management course you will join the team as a Veterinary Care Assistant with the option to progress onto the Student Veterinary Nursing Course once a placement becomes available. However, if this is your first role in the Veterinary Industry, we will provide training as an apprentice on the Veterinary Care Support: Level 2 Apprenticeship (Animal Care and Welfare Assistant) through the College of Animal Welfare.
We are a large busy first opinion practice based over multiple small animal sites, we also have a site which is designated to our Kernow Farm and Equine team. We provide high quality care to our dedicated client base. We are an RCVS Accredited (General Practice) and a Nurse Training Practice. We are looking for enthusiastic candidates who believe in the importance of excellent patient, client and staff care as set out in our mission statement;
Aiming to become Cornwall’s leading provider of animal healthcare
Achieved through -
Being the most dedicated, professional team we can be
Caring about our animals, our clients, each other
Enjoying and taking pride in, what we do, who we are, where we work
As training would be provided for either role you would be expected to be dedicated to your studies and have some experience in animal care and welfare. The role is varied and over time and with training, support and experience, will include working alongside our experienced surgeons to set up for routine, emergency and orthopaedic surgery or our dedicated medical vets helping to care for inpatients. There will also be opportunity to assist our nursing team and support our reception team as required. This role is full time – 37.5hrs per week with half hour unpaid lunch. Rotas will vary depending on which role you are applying for and if you are attending college. Out of Hours and weekend work is currently one shift every other weekend, which is either a day shift or a night shift on a competency basis. We carry out our own 24 hour inpatient care and weekend work is included in your hours. Meaning you would work less hours in the week leading up to a shift. Bank holidays are shared throughout the whole support team. We also pay an uplift to your hourly rate for any night duties worked. There is no sole charge working within this role.
We pride ourselves in offering good progression and support for our student nursing team and offer:
· Holiday allowance- 5.6 weeks (inclusive of bank holidays)
· Uniform provided
· 2nd exam attempt paid time at college
· Support from up to date CC and a very supportive RVN / MRCVS team
· Access to additional CPD on discussion with team lead
We are the only Veterinary practice in Cornwall to be a Healthy Workplace Employer, as part of Healthy Cornwall programme. We are proud to have just been awarded a Silver Award. As part of this we work with
staff to develop health and wellbeing initiatives to support employees with both their physical and mental health.
This includes;
· Mental Health First Aid personnel
· Free Fruit as part of our HALT campaign
· Health checks
· My Benefits- a portal giving you access to the Employee Assistance Programme, discounts and other perks
· Fitness classes currently free Yoga every Monday evening
· £40 social fund to spend on time with colleagues outside of work
We are looking for friendly, down to earth candidates with a genuine interest in animal welfare who can support and develop a cat friendly working environment. You will need to enjoy the variety provided by the clients and colleagues alike. You will have excellent customer service and communication skills, be an effective team player, and have an organised and systematic approach when making decisions to be able to carry out the role efficiently.
Please contact [email protected] for an application form and job description, please use SA VCA in the subject of the email.
Please return your application form, CV and a covering letter by 10 am Tuesday 2nd April 2024.
